Arboretum calls for council budget for maintenance
The Pearl Beach Arboretum is asking residents to make submissions to Central Coast Council to include maintenance of the three bridges and two boardwalks on the council-controlled property in its budget.
The Arboretum is asking residents to write asking the council to implement "the Arboretum's 2023 Landscape Masterplan, including the need to replace the Arboretum's wetland boardwalk which was washed away by floods in early 2022".
"Council has accepted that the Arboretum's existing bridges and boardwalks are its responsibility as they were constructed before the Arboretum was incorporated," said Arboretum president Ms Mary Knaggs.
"Council officers have assessed the condition of the Arboretum's older bridges and boardwalks and have noted their continuing deterioration to the point of their being unsafe over the next five years.
"Council officers have noted the Arboretum's Landscape Masterplan, which places the need to reinstate the eastern wetland boardwalk is a major priority," she said.
"The boardwalk provided an engaging loop walk through the Arboretum, essential to its recreational bushland character and its environmental educational aims and objectives."
The Arboretum estimates it will cost at least $250,000 just to design the replacement wetland boardwalk and for necessary approvals.
"Such actions are essential before the Arboretum or Council can apply for grants to have the wetland boardwalk reinstated.
"The Arboretum is not prepared to raise the money for this preliminary planning stage without the written support of Council."
Ms Knaggs said the provision of Council expertise at this planning stage would be helpful.
"We encourage the friends of the Arboretum to provide feedback to the Council noting that the neither the draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and draft Operational Plan 2025/26; nor the draft Asset Management Strategy 2025-2035 address these priorites for the Arboretum, whichis a much-loved community asset."
SOURCE:
Website, 8 May 2025
Mary Knaggs, Pearl Beach Arboretum